We are happy to announce that we will be getting the U8 and above age divisions on the ice starting September 15 for some development and conditioning. The U7 and U5 divisions will start in October as usual, please see the calendar on the website. All players in each division will be on the ice together and individual team practices will start from September 26. We do not have any information on when games will be allowed to start but it will be sometime after Thanksgiving weekend. A reminder to get your player to try on their equipment, sharpen skates and don't forget neck guards, mouth guards and they need to bring their own water bottle. Masks will need to be worn by all people entering the arena. Dressing rooms will be opened and the players will need to wear their masks until they are ready to put on their helmets and go directly to the ice. When they come off the ice and remove their helmet upon entering the dressing room they need to put their mask back on.
Parents and siblings are allowed into the arena but masks must be worn. We will have a Covid-19 safety plan and screening tool information to share with you prior to September 15.
Please see below information from the OMHA that all participants of Minor Hockey must be fully vaccinated by October 31. This means that all players, coaches and volunteers that are 12 and over must be fully vaccinated to enter the arena. This does not apply to parents/spectators at this time, we will communicate if this changes. The OMHA will be sending out more information soon on how this is to be implemented and we will share with you as soon as possible.
To our friends in minor hockey,
Earlier this summer we launched an effort to remind everyone involved in minor hockey across the province that our game would be back – that our children, families, associations and communities would come back to the game we all love – Stronger than ever.
We’re committed to a return to hockey this fall. All along we have maintained that the safety of our players, coaches, officials, volunteers, staff, families and spectators will be our first priority in our return to the game.
It’s with that objective in mind that the OMHA will be mandating that all eligible participants involved in minor hockey, are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 for the upcoming season. All eligible participants are required to be fully vaccinated by October 31, 2021.
“We realize this continues to be a difficult and uncertain time for everyone. However, our priority is getting our kids back to hockey this fall in as safe a manner as possible,” said OMHA President, Bob Hill. “By taking an approach to control all that we can with mandatory vaccinations for all participants, along with continuing social distancing guidelines, we feel this is the best way forward to ensure a successful return to play this season and that we all benefit from what hockey has to offer.”
The OMHA is determined to get as many children back into the rink safely as possible, as the benefits to our children playing hockey again are immeasurable. In a recent OMHA study* over 83% of families surveyed mentioned that their children playing hockey helped reduce feelings of isolation and was beneficial to their mental health. This is a belief we also share.
For those reasons, we don’t want children in Ontario to miss any more hockey this coming season. The benefits to their physical and mental health, not to mention that of their families and the hockey communities they play in, will be tied to their ability to get back to the activities that are vital to their growth and development – including the physical activity and friendships associated with hockey.
Mandatory vaccinations and maintaining safe COVID and social distancing practices at all rinks (91% of parents surveyed at the end of the 2020-21 season felt satisfied with safety measures put in place) will limit future shutdowns of our game, and could ultimately ensure your children’s hockey experience and the related benefits to their local hockey communities.
For specific information around the OMHA’s vaccination policy, please click here. Our accommodations policies are currently being finalized, and will be published when they are complete.
With a season like no other right around the corner, We urge everyone to do their part; get vaccinated, wear your mask, respect the rules of your community and arenas. Together we can make our return to hockey this fall STRONGER than ever.
See you at the rink!